Delivering the Facts, Plain and Simple

By better understanding the AER’s unique role in the energy sector, we hope that people will feel more assured that we’re fulfilling our mandate of protecting the public, the environment, and Alberta’s energy resources.

Kim Blanchette - VP Public Affairs

The business of keeping Alberta’s energy industry on the straight and narrow can be a complex one. To wade through the complexities, the AER employs engineers, geoscientists, lawyers, environmental scientists, and other experts who help develop and enforce the rules that ensure oil and gas development is safe.

In their jobs, these professionals often speak a technical, specialized language that can seem out of reach or confusing for many—even for some who work here. To reduce the confusion, the AER constantly looks for new and better ways to share our stories; our latest information-sharing tool being the new Resource news and information site.

“Albertans have told us many times that they want to learn about what we’re doing,” says Kim Blanchette, vice-president of Public Affairs. “What’s more, the AER has worked hard to be transparent and share our stories with Albertans and stakeholders.”

Being transparent doesn’t mean simply posting technical reports and data on a website; it means reframing this information in ways that are accessible to everyone and that makes for a good read.

Through stories, videos, photos, and other types of content, Resource will feature current issues and topics and explain our role in addressing them.

The new site will be updated weekly, and its content will be organized into four categories: environment, safety and enforcement, community, and a section called “Good2Know” that offers a variety of useful information about the energy industry, the AER, and our work.

We’re also relying on the theory that if we build it, they will come. We believe that by providing Albertans, and stakeholders, and those from outside our province with a clearer view into our world, they will feel more confident that Alberta’s massive energy resource is well regulated.

“By better understanding the AER’s unique role in the energy sector, we hope that people will feel more assured that we’re fulfilling our mandate of protecting the public, the environment, and Alberta’s energy resources,” Blanchette says.

John Ludwick, Writer